Saturday, May 28, 2011

The 004 CD Release Party was one of those legendary, fabulous get-togethers on a perfect day in The Avenues neighborhood of Salt Lake. Quite a few people from KRCL-FM were on hand to celebrate creativity and diversity. WM Michael was even interviewed briefly, after John Reese and Scott Simons, on that great community radio station during Saturday afternoon's Smile Jamaica, the Reggae show. He spoke about the fabulous SKA/Dance band, and it's talented support staff, like Steve McC, Stephen F, and Elaine M -- Buy the 004 CD HERE!

Webmaster Michael and Patricia Droubay at Repertory Dance Theatre's 45th Anniversary Celebration on May 21. On the poster at the right is Mike's long-time muse, friend, community mover-and-shaker, and RDT's Artistic Director Linda C. Smith.

Michael was dressed to the nines for Ballet West the night before. Well, maybe the eights -- he wore a turtleneck with his suit. Above, he's more dressed to the plus-fours in those saggy baggy shorts!

Katie Duck's Summer Workshops:

July 18 to August 20 -- Five week Music Dance Summer course Amsterdam Holland (Space for musicians still available. Waiting list for dancers)

August 22-27 Five day Collective workshop Orgelpark Amsterdam Holland. To register go to katie@katieduck.com (spaces for dancers and musicians still available)

Great Salt Lake Mime Troupe; Friends Big Band; Available Jelly; and even MOORE to come.

Nouveau Clowns -- there's a Facebook page that alerts all and sundry about performances of the Worldwide Baggy Pants Krewe called Clowns On The Road AKA (EN EL CAMÍ/EN EL CAMINO). Get your translating pages ready though -- the posts can be in Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Italian, German or even English!

Johnny Melville and Jango Edwards continue to fool around. Check out Parade of Fools for the latest on their movie!

When In Rome:

June 7 through June 11 Via Casal de Merode 6, Rome Italy. A course in improvisation, spontaneity, and discovering and applying energy using elements of movies, mime and clown techniques, aikido and acrobatics awareness, confrontational theatre games, all designed to push ones limits to achieving the fulfillment of one's potential.

Clown is a social character in all realms of life. The performance situation, be it theater or circus, is probably the most common form through which we know clowns; but it’s the least important. The primary requirements to reveal your personal clown is a knowledge of the comic formula and the creation of a clown heart. You have always had, and always will have, a clown heart, but to revive it demands the simple desire to regain and sustain your youth throughout all aspects of life...

The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus is back in New York, and doing 20-mile unicycle rides in addition to the regular NYC Bridge-Crossing Project. If Keith Bindlestiff doesn't already have a character named Ballza Steele in his inventory, he should CREATE one!

Uh Oh: From Asbury (New Jersey) Park Press: Plainfield music legend George Clinton has been hospitalized with an infection, but there are indications he'll be ready to funk again soon. “George Clinton is in the hospital,” read a posting on the George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic Facebook page. “He went in for a routine check up and they kept him to treat an infection. He will be just fine. Thank you for all your prayers and concern. We will post more information as it becomes available. Please do not worry.” Attempts to reach representatives of Clinton, 69, for more information about the hospitalization have been unsuccessful. “The funk will survive, just like it always does,” tweeted Clinton Friday morning. However, the George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic show scheduled for Friday night at Joey Harrison's Surf Club in Ortley Beach has been postponed ...Word from the band is that George's next P-Funk gig is BB King's in New York City at the end of May!

On A HAPPIER Note: Ronkat Spearman's Katdelic, Sugar Booty Dancer Rasa Vitalia, and other Funksters shared performances over the Memorial Day Weekend during San Francisco's Carnaval celebration. Fundraisers for victims of the tragedy in Japan are also on the agenda, plus late-night jamming at The Boom Boom Room on June 11.

Rasa Vitalia and RonKat at San Francisco's "Carnaval." (Digitized portion of a color photo by Richard Arbuckle.)

Great Salt Lake Mime Troupe; Friends Big Band; Available Jelly; and even MOORE to come.

Nouveau Clowns -- there's a Facebook page that alerts all and sundry about performances of the Worldwide Baggy Pants Krewe called Clowns On The Road AKA (EN EL CAMÍ/EN EL CAMINO). Get your translating pages ready though -- the posts can be in Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Italian, German or even English!

Johnny Melville and Jango Edwards continue to fool around. Check out Parade of Fools for the latest on their movie!

When In Rome:

June 7 through June 11 Via Casal de Merode 6, Rome Italy. A course in improvisation, spontaneity, and discovering and applying energy using elements of movies, mime and clown techniques, aikido and acrobatics awareness, confrontational theatre games, all designed to push ones limits to achieving the fulfillment of one's potential.

Theater/Cinema/Circus scholar John Towsen's piece about our long-missing friend Mamako Yoneyama in Craft and Art of Physical Comedy. Much-appreciated articles about the amazing Max Linder, and A WHOLE LOT OF GUEST ARTICLES TOO, including old ally and Bindlestiff board member Hovey Burgess.

RonKat Spearman's Katdelic will be holding forth at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco -- including a music video shoot mid-May!

Keep your eyes open for the Eric McFadden Trio; Kim Manning's band Wanderlust on the West Coast; Richie "Shakin" Nagan out of NYC; Freekbass touring out of Cincinnati; Gabe (420) Gonzales gigging out of Detroit; Bernie Worrell; Blackbyrd McKnight; Greg Boyer; Maceo Parker; DJ Soul Sister, in New Orleans; and watch for Lady Miss Kier, and her mysterious band!